Chapter 771: Volume 23: Rising Winds and Swirling Clouds, - 8: Accept with a Smile
Komer’s expression was calm, yet anyone could tell he was seriously considering the other party’s suggestion.
"Heinem, to be frank, your request puts me in a difficult position. You should understand the relationship between the Caucasus and your mountain people, and in the southern land of Flanders, I also have a very harmonious relationship with the Caron Tribe and several other mountain tribes. If I agree lightly to grant you the citizen rights of the Caucasus, it may bring many unforeseen and serious consequences." Komer was not being alarmist.
"Lord, we all understand this, and it is precisely because your Caucasus and the territory of Flanders are located at the northern and southern ends, both having close relations with the mountain tribes on Cordillera Wasteland, that you can better exert your influence and make them give in," Heinem’s eyes shone even brighter, and his tone grew more urgent, "You should be aware that the Chieftains of the big mountain tribes hardly consider our small tribes at all. Their sole intention is to seize any opportunity to devour and absorb us, to reduce us to their tribe’s slaves, without willing to give anything in return. Rather than that, we would rather join you!"
Komer’s heart shook. The moment those words were spoken, they were far from ordinary. He knew that it was impossible to make such a cross-racial statement without considerable courage, although it was also possible that it was a strategy of the other side.
"Oh? Heinem, is this truly what you all think? Or is it simply a flexible approach and strategy?"
"Sir, we mountain people have an old saying, ’time can test everything.’ Why are you not willing to give it a try?" The mountain man’s gaze at this moment was exceptionally deep.
Without clearly agreeing or disagreeing, Komer merely shrugged his shoulders and did not immediately respond. He was pondering whether the other side acted out of compulsion, genuine sentiment, or if it was a strategy of making a retreat to advance.
"Heinem, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I feel that neither the Caucasus nor Flanders is quite ready for this." After pondering for a while, Komer stated indifferently, to the great disappointment of the other two barbarian representatives.